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Length of Treatment

Posted , 11 users are following.

New85
New85

Hi all, I have been taking 10mg citalopram for almost 2 months now and I feel like I'm really starting to feel the benefits of it. People closest to me who know what I went through are really seeing a difference in me but annoyingly they are now starting to ask me when I'm going to stop taking the tablets and saying things like 'you don't want to rely on them forever!' I was just happy to not feel like the world was collapsing around me for a few weeks but now I'm wondering what if I DO have to rely on these drugs forever? The only side effects I have now are tiredness and some very annoying sexual side effects but both of these I can live with and the benefits currently outweigh the negatives for me. I'm happy to keep going im thinking for at least 6 months. I know it's probably a very personal thing but I guess my question is how long do people usually stay on it before trying to reduce and is it harder to come off the longer you have been taking it?! How do you know if you still need them or not?

0 likes, 29 replies

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  • iain96887
    iain96887 New85

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have been taking 20mg for about five weeks now and I think I am starting to feel a change in my mood and reaction to negative situations. Anxiety is reducing and I feel less depressed. The reasons for my poor mentral state still exist but I managing to think about it more rationally.

    Sex has been a problem for quite a while and this is a result of all the anxiety I have experienced. (I am a married guy by the way). I am hoping that this side will improve but am a bit concerned about the possible side effects in this area. without wanting to pry, can you allude to what these are for you? I w2ant to deal with any issue before it becomes another p;roblem in itself. thanks for being so open.

    • New85
      New85 iain96887

      Posted

      Hi Iain, no problem. I am female though so might be a bit different for you! Sexual side effects are apparently quite common but obviously not talked about quite so much - for me it is reduced sex drive and a complete inability to orgasm, which is not something I've ever had trouble with before. Havnt had one since the day I started citalopram 2 months ago. Luckily I have an understanding boyfriend and its not a huge problem at the moment but im not sure I will want to put up with it for years and years, so it is definitely part of the reason why I'm worried about long term use...
    • iain96887
      iain96887 New85

      Posted

      Thanks for being so open, that helps a lot. If its the same for men this will simply deal with one of the issues that got me in the state I am in now :-)  May as well keep a light hearted spin on things. as long as it doesnt put a stop to all things sexual them lets be grateful for that. Long term - I think its a case of wait and see. I don't think there is anything sinister with using cit over a number of years. Good that your partner is with you on this. Chin up.
    • beth02382
      beth02382 iain96887

      Posted

      Hi there, I've been on anti depressants for 9 months, 4 of which were cita. Side affects were weight gain and not a trace of an orgasm, still made sure my man was satisfied but I sure as hell wasn't ( I'm female) so for roughly 9 months of not having an orgasm was beyond getting on my nerves. Plus u r close to maybe having one and Bam gone! I was on 20 mg for the 4 months, went to 10 mg for 1 week then nothing, and OMG! Having sex is amazing, my reasons for being on it seem like they r different from everyone's, but my life is great!!( I'm going to call my man) Lol. I found ways to not have to take cita. Best of Luck!
    • New85
      New85 beth02382

      Posted

      Lol - thanks Beth, good to hear it's not just me smile but coming off them isn't really an option for me just yet. Good to know these things should return to normal once I do though!
    • beth02382
      beth02382 New85

      Posted

      I was on sertroline for a bit and it worked fine, but the sex thing was the same as cita. I went on Wellbutrin because Dr said sexual side effects weren't an issue. But I was only on it for 2 weeks due to side effects were really, really bad. Then onto cita which was fine except for wat a I stated earlier. U can maybe ask Dr about Wellbutrin and c wat he says? Just cause it's bad for one, might be great for the next! U have to do wat is right for u.
    • dawn66355
      dawn66355 beth02382

      Posted

      Hi beth, how did you learn to cope without Cita, I was on them for 8 years for anxiety not depression, I came off slowly and been off them for about 3 months, but this week my anxiety has gone through the roof and even some depression, i am so close to going back on them, but I really dont want to - any tips ? x

       

    • katecogs
      katecogs dawn66355

      Posted

      5-HTP and l-tyrosine which can be bought over the counter are a natural SSRI and a good alternative to Citalopram, and without any of the side effects.

      K x

    • dawn66355
      dawn66355 katecogs

      Posted

      Hi Kate, Have you managed to come off Cita ok, how long have you been off it?

      thanks x

       

    • katecogs
      katecogs dawn66355

      Posted

      Hi Dawn

      I came off Citalopram about 2 years ago and went on 5-HTP and l-tyrosine with successful results.  I stayed like that for a year, but last year we had major family illness which affected me and I noticed I began to feel the inklings of anxiety again.  I restarted Cit again as wanted to stay strong during this time (didn't need me to be ill too) so started them again before I got too far down the line, and now this episode has passed I've again reduced from 20mg to 5mg.  I intend to stop this and go back 5-HTP etc again.

      I was initially ill for about 15 years on and off, then recovered on SSRI's and stayed on them for about 15 years.  I thought I did pretty well staying off them for that whole year, and of course it was only through that traumatic time did I feel I needed them.

      First time round I had withdrawal effects, but this time I took it more slowly and have had no withdrawal effects at all other than the occasional feeling of nausea which was hardly anything.

    • beth02382
      beth02382 dawn66355

      Posted

      Hi Dawn, Congratulations on coming off of it, once u find the right fix for u to deal with this, u will be happier, it is not easy tho! I have looked into certain natural remedies, such as vitamins and herbs( which I can't say here, cause they won't send this then) I feel what 6katecogs has recommended about natural SSRI would be a good place to start. I recommended that to my friend for her daughter. I think the biggest thing for me is really focusing and talking my way out of it, I'm working out a lot more and eating better. And lost a couple pounds, since that was one of the reasons I wanted off. Gaining weight also got me down and no matter how hard I tried, I still gained! Also sexual side effects also got me down, which being off has gotten better! When thinking of maybe to just go back on I think of those 2 things and determined to beat this thing!! No matter what there will always be good and bad days!! But life is never fair. And if life does get to tough to deal with, then it's not a shame to go back on!! Hang Tough and Love Life🌻
    • dawn66355
      dawn66355 katecogs

      Posted

      Been to docs and he has put me forward for counselling but we all know how long the nhs takes, has signed me off work, but I have no choice but to go, and has prescribed cita, but going to hold off for a bit and try what you have suggested Kate, 5 htp I have already got and the I tyrosine is coming tomorrow, so will give that a try, feel a lot better now I am back home with my doggies lol x
    • beth02382
      beth02382 dawn66355

      Posted

      Hey Dawn, I'm so proud of u!! I hope that 5 HTP and the I tyrosine works for u.And u know what, u made it thru today without cita, and many more days to come🙏🏻 Take Care, Beth
  • alice1209
    alice1209 New85

    Posted

    I avoided taking citalopram for as long as I possibly could, I just so didn't want to have to take medication or to rely on medication to feel 'normal'  After months of living in a horrendous state I was eventually convinced by my husband and Doctor that I was ultimately missing out on life.

    So I started taking citalopram......that was 6 years ago, citalopram gave me back the life I used to have before anxiety hit me.  I did try 3 months ago to come off them, however for me I went straight back to how I was 6 years ago and it terrified me, that is not how I want to live.

    I would think the longer you are on them the harder it is to come off them, but that might not be true.  Ultimately though I've learnt to accept that 'so what' if I need to support, there's no shame in it, I rather be on citalopram forever than live in a state of constant anxiety and become detached from my husband and children.  My doctor said to me 2 months ago that he would never advised someone with a heart condition not to take their heart pills, so why is this any different?

    I've started CBT and I'm also attending an anxiety clinic, so maybe one day I'll come off them, but maybe not.  

    Side affects for me were that I put on weight and also it affected your sex drive, both of which my doctor has told me are possible affects....

    Take one day at a time, and do what is best for you, good luck! 

    • New85
      New85 alice1209

      Posted

      Hi Alice, thanks for this. I'm not ashamed and I'm just so happy ive finally found something that's genuinely helping. What your doctor said is so true and that's what I want to explain to people who have made these comments. But people just don't see it the same way they think it's some kind of sugar pill! It's very frustrating! But I know only I will know when I'm ready. Thanks again x
    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 alice1209

      Posted

      Great news you are living a good life Alice thats the most important ! there is no shame being medicated as far as I'm concerned I found CBT was very helpful so hope that works out you'll be fine take care !
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